Making Time to Can

Well I am not as far behind as I thought I was on Saturday when talking to a friend. I am only 3 1/2 months behind. Which is fine...it doesn't stress me out too much. I have several of my blogs written out already so I didn't forget the memories which is the whole point of posting a 'few' pictures and writing the memories so when I get around to finally scrapbooking I have something to look at to spark my memory and have journal entries to add to my scrapbook. I realized though that I am spending a ton of time on pictures which is a good thing as I am working on a new talent but at the same time it's delaying me from getting my blogs done. Plus I am also trying to post more than a 'few' pictures so that adds to the time as well. So I am going to limit the number of pictures for the most part so that maybe I can close the gap and stay closer to being up to date with my blog. If I don't oh well, I still enjoying writing and sharing things and keeping my memories and thoughts documented.

 

So back in October I bought 4 boxes of apples (a bit hasty as 1.5 were still in my garage in January). I feel it's a bit unfair as my busy season at work picks up as the harvesting season picks up. Which makes it hard for me to get all the cannning done as I wish but I keep trying.

I laid out a bunch of apples (11/03/12) and went to town making my first batch of applesauce. Benjamin enjoying handing out with me in the kitchen like normal. I don't remember why he is crying in this picture but I am sure it was tragic.

 

The applesauce turned out great and smelled amazing. The texture is really smooth like baby food my husband told me. I enjoyed it immensly. And I like being able to control the sugar contect and texture. I know others like it really chunky but I prefer the smoothness of it and now I know how to make some baby food.

Speaking of babies here is mine fast asleep.

Briefly! The blender helped to wake her right up. I had her in on the dinning table so I should have known it would wake her up. But sometimes she sleeps through everything.

 

Elizabeth is not a fan of tummy time. She will tolerate it for short bits but really wants to be upright seeing everything going on around her. At this point in these pictures you can tell she is learning how to keep her balance (at 4 1/2 months) on her own. Daddy is very close by as we watch her sit up and wobble over. Sometimes she would fall over and land on her tummy.

I love this photo of Elizabeth with her daddy's big hands. I back in December that my husband gets his large hands from his Opa (his mother's dad). There's just something about it that touches my heart.

Pickled Peppers so Sweet

I had harvested a ton of items from my garden due to the coming freezing weather but I didn't know what to make or do with everything. My friend Heather suggested that we pickle the peppers. I wasn't sure what I would do with pickled peppers but I was game. We had fun hanging out together and letting our kids play.

 

I learned a valuable lesson that day...DON'T breath in the smell of the brine for pickling things. It BURNS!!! I obviously didn't learn my lesson fast enough because I inhaled it more than once. When Heather's husband Kenny joined us after work he walked in and stated, "It stinks in here." We were not surprised.

 

We had some dinner from the crock pot (I am trying to integrate using my crock pot more as it really makes the evening smoother) and relaxed as we finished canning. After dinner Kenny sat down and played my piano a little bit and his son Wyatt joined him.

 

While we were just hanging out Gwendolyn went to sit on her daddy's lap and we all got a good laugh. Kenny ran his fingers through Gwen's hair which had been in a high ponytail and fluffed her curly hair nicely. It was hilarious.

 

It was a wonderful afternoon of hanging out with good friends. And I must admit canning peppers will be on my list of things to do after this year. We've already used them in chili's and other dishes. And the aroma has changed so much that it has a sweet pleasant smell now. Thank you Heather for the great suggestion and helping me get something done!

Drenched in Syrup

I was trying to be more organized (emphasis on trying) and so I created a little menu planner for our fridge. I also had a new recipe to try (or this was the 2nd time using it) for pancakes. "Oatmeal Pancakes" found over on thepeacefulmom.com. It is interesting to use leftover oatmeal in the pancakes but they turned out delicious. I don't normally make oatmeal with much leftovers though. I typically make a batch of oatmeal for my families needs for the day but I have heard of people who make a batch for the week so it would make sense to have leftovers. Anyways to make these pancakes took a concerted amount of effort on my part as I had to make oatmeal earlier in the week.

 

So this Thursday morning (October 18th, 2012) I made Oatmeal Pancakes. I do love how big they are and moist. Pancakes at our house is always a big hit with Benjamin. He devours them. Getting him to eat is never a problem. The issue is getting him to wait long enough for them to cool. After breakfast Jared and I ran to our computers without thinking about much except making sure Benjamin's hands and face were syrup free. I was working in the living room at the time when I noticed Benjamin back up at the table. I got up quickly to see he had dumped most of the syrup I had left on the table onto the table and was happily playing in it. I tried to get a picture of my little boys fingers just drenched and dripping with syrup but it didn't turn out the best.

 

 

I cleaned up the syrup from the table and scolded myself for being so careless (though I am sure I huffed at my husband too).